Hello sailors! Several years ago, I attended a charity auction and purchased a one day sailing lesson. I fell in love with sailing and vowed to find a boat, learn to sail and spend many countless hours sailing into my sunset years. I did a great deal of internet homework on sailboat manufacturers, types, and models of sailboats. I finally decided on two or three makes that I thought were quality built crafts. I began searching want ads in the paper and online for used boats, and when out driving, was constantly on the lookout for boats with "For Sale" signs. I walked the docks of the local marinas. I finally found the boat I thought was destined to be mine on Ebay. After quick negotiations, I owned a 1975 Chrysler 22 swing keel. She hadn't seen the water in over a year and was sitting on her original trailer, that had been sitting neglected, rusting in a field for years, bent frame, with no lights and a worn out hitch. I was happy with my purchase. I started on her renovation/restoration. The first thing that had to be done, was the renovation of the trailer. The trailer repair and renovation is complete and it looks almost new, and the boat is on the hard currently undergoing gelcoat blister repair as a result of too many years sitting in warm Texas lakes with no barrier coating. I have yet to actually sail her as I put her in the water only once when I bought her to check for leaks. I have had many kind sailors offer to help me learn to sail and I plan to take them up on their offers. I reside just outside the Ft.Worth/Dallas area in north central Texas. If there are any other Chrysler owners in the area that would like to correspond, let me hear from you. If there are any other new or experienced sailors interested in helping out a newbie, give me a shout. I look forward to many happy years of trailer sailing the lakes of Texas. Thank goodness spring is here!! Have a great day!!! TxAggie

I grew up 400 miles from the nearest ocean, and was always interested in these things called sailboats, but had never even seen one up close. Even after attending UMass Boston and living north of the harbor I had little opportunity to sail. One day my boss asked me if I would like to go out on his 32' Hunter and for some strange reason I said yes. That was 5 years ago and I still remember that first time at the helm, a 10 knot breeze at my back, the sails full and that sailboat coming alive under my feet. I was totally hooked.

Like Txaggle I cruised eBay and dreamed of someday. Then last January I found her. Up for bid by a charity, 4 hours to go and no bids. It didn't matter that she was sitting on blocks on Long Island (250 miles away); I had no trailer, and had no real idea of her condition. I had to bid on her, $202.50. Four hours later I owned her, a 1969 Venture 21, owned by the same family all her life and almost total unmodified, The story of bring her to Boston is best left for later (after the pain goes away).

Last year my sons and I rebuilt the swing keel and rudder, installed all new wiring and painted the interior. This year she gets all new running rigging, VHF (from the Sailnet store) and ground tackle. We hope to launch her from Winthrop, Ma in June.

I will be 58 in July, my sailing time is still measured in hours and I sometimes still wonder what possessed me to buy this thing that takes all my spare time and money. I enjoy the hours spent working on her and I have met many wonderful people all eager to give me advice.

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